Two red cards but Brad’s boys far from red-faced

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Under19 team coach Brad Maloney admitted two sendings off almost cost them dearly against Cambodia in their AFC Under-19 Championship qualifying opener in Group G.

The nine-man Malaysian team still managed to fend off hosts Cambodia to win 5-4 at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh on Saturday.

Maloney said the two red cards enabled the Cambodians to claw their way back into the game.

“Honestly, we made it difficult after two players were shown the red card. Credit goes to Cambodia as they never gave up and they almost snatched a draw or even win.

“The two red cards were like a double sucker punch as Cambodia scored from the resulting free-kick. It made it difficult for me to reorganise the team while trying to maintain our lead.

“We can’t blame the goalkeeper ... we conceded four goals after we lost two men. I’m not happy about it but things like this can happen in football,” said the Australian coach.

Maloney’s boys raced ahead with goals from Mohd Shafi Aszwad Sapari (30th minute), Mohd Fakrul Iman Naszari (40th) and Mohd Azrin Afiq Rusmini (42nd) in the first half.

But disaster struck in the second half after Turkmenistan referee Kurbanov Charymurat flashed Mohd Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi his second yellow for dissent in the 58th minute and Ahmad Zikri Mohd Khalili was red carded for a lastman tackle in the 59th.

The Cambodians took advantage by scoring two goals via Met Samel (61st) and Chea Sokmeng (65th).

Malaysia quickly regrouped and scored two goals through Luqman Hakim Shamsudin (67th) and Mohd Muslihudin Atiq Mat Zahid (74th) but Cambodia pressed on to reduce the deficit through Ry Leap Pheng (77th) and Soeuth Nava (88th).

Malaysia meet Brunei in the second match on Nov 6 and then take on Northern Mariana Islands on Nov 8 before wrapping up their campaign against heavyweights Thailand on Nov 10.